Final Reflections

Our trip took us almost 13,000 miles. We talked to hundreds of people along the way, rode through some 30 states, and saw things on a daily basis that the average American will never see. You can't see America from an airplane, or sitting in a car while driving down an interstate. You can't meet Americans from the seat of a plane at 30,000 feet.  At least for the time being, America is accessible to anyone, but it doesn't come to you. You can't learn anything about Americans by watching movies or listening to the main stream, liberal media. You have to go to them, and approach them, and listen to them. Americans have a lot to say about what is happening in our country today, but nobody is really listening to them. Americans love their country. They love and respect their flag. They are a religious, steady group who go to work every day, raise their families, teach their children the difference between right and wrong, and continue to have what many believe are old fashioned ideas and values. They truly understand what is happening in America today. They believe in our founders, and they believe in our constitution, and they believe in the rule of law. They are not racists, or homophobes, or radicals, or revolutionaries. But they understand there are those seeking to change our way of wife, not to merely move "to the left," but to fundamentally change our society into a socialist country, part of a utopian "global" society where America will come to a quiet end. They know how it is going to effect them and their children in the future.

We started out to find and meet these Americans and learn from them. It was a wonderful, fulfilling experience for us all.

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Home

Day: 58
Destination: Home, via the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Buena Vista
Route: Highway 1, then Highway 101
Miles Ridden: 228     Total Miles: 12,954

Points of Interest:

• Stewart's Point
• Northern SF Bay
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Home with our loved ones and friends

We knew we had quite a ride ahead of us today. It was tempting to stay on Highway 101, and be home in four hours. But we had a goal in the beginning, and that goal was to ride, to the extent possible, the perimeter of the entire United States. That meant, of course, small, two lane roads most of the time, since major highways rarely have been built on the perimeter of the US.
 
Tempting as it was, we stayed on the roads closest to the Pacific Ocean, which meant Highway 1. Another day of rolling hills and twisties, over 100 miles of them, meant the ride would be pleasant but slow. We estimated we would be home by 3:00 p.m., leaving at 8:00 a.m. It became evident we would have to skip lunch if we were going to be close, and we just kept moving. Most of Highway 1 at this location is a very narrow road, with few cars, but well worth taking. For us, it ended near Sausalito where it merged with Highway 101. We went a few miles, and exited just before the Golden Gate Bridge. We climbed the hill, and found a scenic point just above the Golden Gate. We had begun the trip on the south side of the bridge, and it was only fitting we would "close the loop" on the north side. We took the time to talk to many visitors to California, who were there to photograph the bridge from that vantage point. We took our photos, and then crossed the bridge into San Francisco. We stopped by the Buena Vista, a bar famous for creating the Irish Coffee, and then headed home.
 

 
When we arrived in Danville, we were greeted by many of our friends and family who were there to congratulate us for completing our journey. It was great to see them, to be home, and great to have those hugs and kisses from our wives. Journey's end. One of our dreams had come true!

Mendocino

Day: 57
Destination: Mendocino, California
Route: 101 South to Leggett, CA; Highway 1 South
Miles Ridden: 150    Total Miles: 12,726

Points of Interest:

• Avenue of the Giants
• Mendocino, California
• Patterson's Restaurant

With only 150 miles to ride from Eureka and Mendocino, we relaxed a little, and didn't leave until 10:00 a.m. A little chilly, but clear, we put on our jackets and started heading south. Our goal was ride the Avenue of Giants, just south of Eureka. If you haven't taken this ride, it is a must for anyone in the area. The Avenue runs for several miles, and runs parallel with Highway 101. There are seven exits and entrances off of 101 to the Avenue, so you can ride all or part of the Avenue. The Avenue runs through several small communities, and past yet another sign of better economic times. We passed a very large lumber mill which, like the eight in Montana, employed hundreds but were shut down by the environmentalists. We passed through several stands of the most beautiful, enormous redwood trees imaginable. The tallest and oldest living thing on earth is in one of the groves of trees, although which tree has never been publicly disclosed. We stopped a few times, and found an enormous field of clover amongst the redwoods. Fantastic experience of which you just cannot grow tired.

 

Through the Avenue, we jumped on Highway 101. Forty miles later, we made the turn onto Highway 1 at Leggett. This 35 miles or so of twisted, rolling hills, with numerous 10 and 15 mph turns, also runs through the redwoods and is a great run. Eventually, you pass a sign which says "Shoreline Highway." You think the road will straighten, but noooo. More twisties as you make your way to Fort Bragg and, a mere 10 or so miles later, Mendocino. Today remained cool, and fingers of fog extended into the forests and surrounded many of the coves and inlets. Pretty much everything had a gray overcast, but the Pacific Ocean was beautiful, and the ride great. Mendocino is a very small, tourist community loaded with beds and breakfast, restaurants, and a handful of bars. We found a small, local establishment, had a very nice meal, and looked forward to tomorrow's ride home.

Ahead of schedule

The guys are running two days ahead of schedule, and due to return to their starting place of Starbucks in Danville, CA on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 3:00 P.M.!

Trinidad and Eureka

Day: 56
Destination: Trinidad, then Eureka, California
Miles Ridden: 204 Total Miles: 12,576
Route: Highway 101 South
Points of Interest:

• Scenic view from Port Orford
• State and federal forests and parks to the Oregon border
• National Redwood Park, California
• Trinidad wharf

We were on the road at 8:30 a.m. today on our way to Trinidad, California. It was clear and sunny, but we could see fog to our north, and the forecast was for cooler weather, fog, and 35 mph winds from the north. On came the jackets, and we began our journey. It became apparent, however, that jackets alone would not be enough. Within a couple miles, we began hitting fog banks stretching across the highway. Each time, the temperature would drop dramatically, only to rise again when we hit sunshine rather than fog. We stopped at Port Orford, a small town, for fuel. When we began to leave, we saw a painted sign on the pavement of a side street, pointing in the direction of the "Ocean View." We took the road and found a tiled bench setting high on a bluff above a cove and beach below.

The Oregon coastline is beautiful, but it is very rugged and rocky. We were told that whales were visible from this vantage the day before, but today we did not see any whales, although the view was great. We took a few pictures, and we were off again. We rode through the redwoods of California. Not our first time, but the giant redwoods are always impressive.

We arrived at Trinidad, which is a very small town 20 miles north of Eureka. The small road curls west from the freeway, and makes its way down the hillside to the ocean and cove. We ate at a great restaurant at the end of the road, and took in the great view. We then made our way to Eureka, a much larger town, with the problems you would expect to find in any larger city. We found the Red Lion, had a snack while watching the All Star game, and settled in for the evening.

Bandon (Day 2)

Day: 55

Destination: Bandon, Oregon (Day 2)
Miles Ridden: 10    Total Miles: 12,372

Points of Interest:

• Bandon golf resort (Old MacDonald Golf Links course)
• The Loft Restaurant

Proving once again that you can do it all, we played golf today at the Old MacDonald Golf Links, the newest of the four courses at the resort.

As we rode to the course, the fog began pulling away. The skies were crystal blue and without a cloud in the sky. The course began to warm, but very strong winds coming off the Pacific kept the temperature in the high 60's. The strong and constant winds made the game interesting, but we had a great time. Later, we met for dinner at the Loft in Old Town. The dinner and service was excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone who may visit Bandon.

Bandon

Day: 54
Destination: Bandon, Oregon
Route: Highway 5 south; 99 south; 240 west; forest service road between Carlton and Beaver; south on 101
Miles Ridden: 284     Total Miles: 12,362

Points of Interest:

• Forest service road over the Coast Ranges
• Bald Peak State Park
• Suislaw National Forest
• Numerous coastal state parks
• Sea Lion Caves
• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
• Old Town Bandon, Oregon 

Another beautiful day for a ride. We rode out of Portland, and began heading southwest towards the Pacific Coast. For the first 50 miles, we rode over the Coastal Ranges on single and two lane roads, through forests and over bridges, reaching summits which looked into the valleys below. Due to the hour of the day, we hit areas brightly lit from the sun, other areas shrouded in shade so that the roadway was barely visible. At one point, a deer suddenly ran across the road about 20 feet in front of Bud's bike. Moose, Elk, Antelope and Deer...they all like to run in front of or alongside Bud. The ride over the range was rather slow, but we ultimately reached Highway 101, and turned south towards Bandon. The coast was much colder than inland, and jackets became a necessity. We began to hit areas covered with fog, which made for some nice photo opportunities. We arrived at Bandon about 5:30 p.m.

Bandon is a nice little town best known for its port in Old Town, and the Bandon Dunes golf resort to the north. We were there for both. Old Town, as it is called, has several nice shops and numerous good restaurants. We choose one, had dinner, and then settled in for the night.